The Microsoft Band steps data on Windows Phone has some quirky bugs

There are some weird bugs on the Microsoft Band. Yesterday, I remember doing 10,820 steps. When I checked my steps history today, the data shows a very different number. It says 8,344 steps. What happened to the other 2,476 steps? After some digging, it turns out the steps data seems to be recording fine. It's the Microsoft Health app for Windows Phone that's messing up the dates.

It looks like Microsoft Health for Windows Phone is displaying the steps data from the day before. So, instead of showing 10,820 steps for November 5th, it's showing my steps data from November 4th. The steps data on the Microsoft Health app for iOS is not affected. You can see a clearer picture below. The numbers basically shift by one day.

Some people in our Microsoft Band forums are experiencing other issues with the steps data. Daniel Rubino, our Editor-in-Chief, shares this issue:

"For instance, I set my steps goal as 7k a day. Now let's look at my summary: It says I did 84% of my Step goal (5,880 steps), which is very accurate (Fitbit reported 5,665 for comparison).

The steps show up on that day in your step count, even if you put it into Run mode (I use it for LISS cardio). However, the next day, those results change and they look like this (2,760 steps), which is... well, weird. My 84% is now out of whack with reported steps... where did they go?"

For Daniel, it seems the Microsoft Band DOES count steps even in run mode for day of, but changes it the next day.

Let's hope Microsoft knows about these problems already and have an update coming soon. Have you noticed any other bugs with your Microsoft Band? Let us know in the comments or join the discussions in the forums.

The Microsoft Band steps data on Windows Phone has some quirky bugs

I don't have a device as I am watching to see the viability. Personally I think they hit it out of the park but I don't want my desire to get into wearables skew a logical review of my spending so I'm living vicariously through these reports so thanks...

Not throwing stones but this IMO is Microsoft being Microsoft. They can be lauded for such a lofty accomplishment with this device but problems with a Gen 1 device are not uncommon. There are so many examples where it takes 3x for them to get to a mature product that has the kinks worked out. If one is a MS technology user early adopter, this is a pattern we've lived over and over again.

Why is Microsoft always being an ass and make these products available in the US only?. Sure, I can order it from the store in the US ans have it sent to the Netherlands, but the app is simply not available for the EU region. Sucks!

I can't get Bluetooth to stay connected between my AT&T Lumia 1520 and my band. Connects for 1 or 2 seconds then drops. So, obviously, with no stable Bluetooth connection, I can't get any notifications or check the weather on the band. Tried resetting the band a few times to no avail. So frustrated. Time to call Microsoft Band Support.

I reported this to Microsoft yesterday, around 1:00PM, it took about 45 minutes on the phone with them to explain it, and finally they looked at their own and said, I see what your talking about. At that time they weren't aware of the issue, but gave me a case number and said they would call me back with a status update on Saturday.

Microsoft it's pursuing all platforms, all services (look at the Skype, one drive and office news these week , they are delivering a lot, also the band now)
we see too much bashing here unnecessarily, if you only read comments here looks like we are in a dead platform and company, quite the contrary

I haven't experienced this, but I've only had my Band for two days. On the other hand, I had my annual physical today and the pulse count taken by the nurse was just two beats off from what my Band was recording at the same time, which is confidence building. And I was the hit of Starbucks this morning as I was the first in the store to use the Band to pay and they had all just read a notice from corporate that customers would be using this new device. I had 8 Starbucks employees all gawking at once at my Band for a few moments.

It makes you wonder if it is bad app making for Windows Phone (even when it comes straight from Microsoft) out something inherently in the software of windows phone that keeps things from running smoothly... Come on Microsoft, it's like being a toy maker and making great toys for everyone but your kids. I really hope the Windows 10 for mobile (not sure how to refer to it since the phone from Windows Phone is being dropped) exceeds expectations and at least allows stops that don't break especially when made by their own company...

Last night I turned on sleep tracking and woke up around 4am. I turned off sleep mode and saw the stats on the Band and in Health. I went back to sleep at 5am and when I woke up a few hours later, I saw the stats on the band, but when it was synced to Health, it appears it overwrote the previous sleep session, instead of showing them both, as my FitBit does.

I posted in the forums about this earlier this morning. I called Microsoft band support this afternoon and was given a case number, they said they are aware of the issue and are working on implementing a fix.

I have noticed extensive gesturing (when talking all day in meetings but while seated) artificially has increased the step count but I assume this is an issue with all wrist mounted step counters. And I'm seeing similar issues in the app on Windows phone. In historical page, such as yesterday's step count, it shows percentage of goal from the day before that even if the number of steps it shows is accurate.

Yeah there's no way around this really for wrist-based counters. Since moving your arms though does actually exert yourself/burn calories I really just think of steps as points. I think Misfit does this too, it just awards points for movement instead of counting steps. I mean think about it, do we really need to know with perfect accuracty how many steps we've taken? The point is to move more often and be active, not find exact step measurement. When I hit 10k steps ever day on my fitbit flex I know I've done about the same amount of average movement consistently, etc.

I spoke with Microsoft Band Support this morning on my issue and they said there were sending details on a few issues up the chain, so I'm sure people are aware of these issues. Hopefully app updates won't take forever to arrive.

everything microsoft builds for rival platforms is better than the apps they throw together for thier own products....office 365 is another example of this. It looks awesome on every phone and tablet in the market.....unless the phone or tablet you happen to be holding is built by microsoft. It really doesn't pay to show brand loyalty and buy MS hardware